I've seen a lot of opening day's (or Opening Day's!!! depending on your point of view) in my time either in person or on TV. They are always a special time of the season.

In honor of Opening Day!!! I've done a story for the Chicago Baseball Museum on the 15 most important / unique Sox Opening Days in history. These are Opening Day's that were strange, bizarre, unique or important because of their impact on the franchise.

The Sox were supposed to open with a series against Kansas City but the other games were postponed, they only got one in. That game was played on April 9th. The Sox didn't play again until April 13th at Minnesota.

That was the first game in a seven game road trip before they came back home.

I haven't been to as many Opening Day games as many around here, but I was lucky enough to sit close behind home plate for the opener in 2005. Will never forget it for obvious reasons. Snappy little game (under 2 hours if memory serves - I was able to catch a rush hour train home!) pitched by Buehrle, a 1-0 win over the Tribe closed out by Shingo, which really set the tone for that great year.

I went to opening day 2 years in a row in the early 2000's. I want to say they were both against the Tigers. One year, the Sox won, but I don't remember much of what happened. The other year the weather was awful, they were winning, and the closer gave up the lead with a 9th inning HR by I think Tony Clark. I want to say that was 2002, but I'd have to look it up.

__________________
What is Mind? -- Doesn't Matter!
What is Matter? -- Never Mind!
-Homer Simpson

2000 is maybe my favorite home opener, though I haven't been to many. Coming off of a few mediocre seasons, I remember a packed, energetic and loud crowd on an unusually warm April night. I remember Ray Durham setting the scene with a spectacular catch diving into RF, leading to a Sox winner over the Angels.